Sent into a two-family home engulfed by flames in Springfield, Mass., Jim Dion found 9-month-old Contina Muckle-Nash waiting to be rescued. Scooping the baby girl into his arms, Dion handed her off to another firefighter as they exited.

After a 24-year career as a firefighter, Dion retired with disability and moved to Sun City 13 years ago after he and his wife watched the community develop during vacations to Hilton Head.

The couple often wondered what happened to the girl he saved years ago. About 40 years later, Dion and Nash are in each other’s arms once again. This time it is a happy moment.

At Thanksgiving in 2010, Dion’s daughter, Joelle Marquis began reading a long letter of how her dad bravely fought the flames to save another’s life. The long letter script was just one of the 60 she sent to people around the country, seeking a reply from the 9-month-old baby who was saved.

Marquis began her search years ago through websites like Facebook, White Pages, and LinkedIn. When she discovered Nash had a new last name, the search became easier and she found a phone number.

“It ended up being a fax number so I faxed a copy of the letter along with an article that had already published my dad’s story,” Marquis said. “It was just a few days before I heard back from her. I was beside myself excited. I wasn’t sure if she would be defensive or not even know the story but she was so appreciative and her family thanked us because she was such a blessing to them.”

On that Thanksgiving Day, Nash called Dion with gratitude. The two talked for what seemed like hours.

“We had always wondered what had happened to the baby in that fire,” Dion said. “When my daughter started reading the letter, I was just thinking why is she doing this? It was one of the greatest moments in my life to talk to Tina.”

Over the three years since first talking over the phone, Dion finally met face to face with Nash in March. After living in Boston after the fire, Nash moved to Albuquerque, N.M., with her mom to be with more family.

In March, Dion and Nash along with immediate family met each other with tears in their eyes.

“It was so amazing how she greeted us with open arms,” he said. “She probably hugged me about 40 times that day.”

While traveling around New Mexico, the two reminisced on what life has been like over the 40 years. The cause for the fire that day is still unknown, but the results are two thankful people who have developed a close friendship.

“It was very heart-warming to read the letter, I knew a little bit about it since my mother had told me about the incident over the years,” Nash said. “I always thought about who the person was but never imagined ever being reconnected with him since we didn’t know his name and had moved away from the area.”

Nash said the moment she met Dion is hard to explain in words.

“There was a lot of emotion and just overjoyed that he cared so much about me to come and visit,” she said. “We’re like family now.”

Dion said they continue to stay in touch and are even planning for Nash to visit Sun City before Christmas.

While Dion looks forward to developing friendship between Nash and her family, Marquis anticipates the day when she meets her. “After hearing back from her, I immediately knew I had done the right thing by searching,” Marquis said. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

For Nash and Dion, the two who never expected to share their life moments again have reconnected in a rare way. Beginning in a blaze, Nash and Dion can now look back and say that despite the tragic circumstance, it ended happily for both the rescued and rescuer.